Data recording apparatus

ABSTRACT

Data recording apparatus wherein the data is recorded on a sheet in a spatial arrangement or pattern corresponding to the spatial arrangement of a plurality of containers that constitute a part of a fraction collecting apparatus. The fraction collector operates by moving a nozzle carrying the discharge from a fractionating column along a path on which the containers are disposed. There is a data recording sheet and a pen supported for inscribing a graph on such sheet. The pen moves in unison with the nozzle and is displaced in a direction transverse to the path so that the spatial arrangement of the graph corresponds to the spatial arrangement of the containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to data recording apparatus and more particularlyto apparatus that records data in a prescribed spatial arrangement thatcorresponds to the spatial arrangement of material the characteristicsof which the recorded data represents.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are many known forms of fraction collectors which are useful indetermining the presence and quantity of a given substance in a testsolution. In utilizing such prior art fraction collectors, the unknownsubstance is passed through fractionating column, and the output of thecolumn is collected in a series of individual containers in timedsequence. The sequence in which the constituents or fractions of thematerial exit the fractionating column is a function of the retentionproperties of each particular constituent. Although such unknownmaterials can often be divided into a large plurality of individualfractions, it is typical that but a few of the individual fractionsrequire further attention or analysis. In order to identify theparticularly pertinent fractions, it is conventional to record one ormore particular characteristics (e.g., optical density, electricalconductivity, ph, radioactivity and the like) of the material exitingthe fractionating column and then determining from the recorded datawhich particular fractions are of greatest pertinence. Prior arttechniques for recording such data have taken the form of a strip chartrecorder where a graph is drawn as the strip advanced at a prescribedrate. Although the data recorded is accurate, its use is difficultbecause extra steps are required in coordinating and identifying aparticular fraction with a particular point on the graph. The presentinvention, by way of contrast, records data in a spatial arrangementthat corresponds with the spatial arrangement of the collected fractionsso that the particular fractions of most interest can be readilyidentified by visual inspection and comparison between a chart achievedaccording to the invention and the fractions collected from the column.

One specific prior art fraction collector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,871,426 (Class 141/130). In the patented fraction collector aplurality of fraction collecting containers are arranged in a spiralpath in a disc. The present invention is particularly suitable inconjunction with the fraction collector disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No.3,871,426 patent because the time base is linear and independent of theradius of the spiral at any point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide data recording apparatus whichproduces in graphic form data relating to a characteristic of fractionsof the effluent from a fractionating column wherein the data arespatially arranged in correspondence with the spatial arrangement of thefractions to afford ready identification of the particular fractions ofinterest. This object is achieved by providing a sheet carrier, a sheetand an inscribing device such as a pen movable relative the sheet toinscribe data thereon. The pen is moved in unison with the nozzle thatdistributes the fractionating column effluent to the fraction collectorso that the pen traverses a path similar to that traversed by thenozzle. Means are provided for displacing the pen transversely to thepath, such deflections occurring in a position on the graph paper thatcorresponds with the position of the particular fraction.

Another object is to provide a data recorder capable of recording asubstantial amount of data with a linear time base in a relatively smallarea. This object is achieved according to the present invention byproviding a circular sheet and a carrier for the same and moving a penor the like in a spiral path relative to the sheet.

A further object of the invention is to provide a graph that is easilyreadable and readily correlated with the fractions to which specificparts of the data or curve relate. This object is achieved according tothe present invention by providing a sheet of graph paper that ispreprinted with circles or like indicia that correspond in size andlocation to each of the fraction collecting containers. The carrier forthe sheet and the sheet are so constructed that the spatial arrangementand location of the indicia and inscribed data on the sheet correspondwith that of the array of fraction collecting containers. Accordingly,the data recorded by the graph can be readily correlated with each ofthe samples collected in the containers.

The foregoing together with other objects, features annd advantages willbe more apparent after referring to the following specification and theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a fraction collector ofthe type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,426 on which the datarecording apparatus of the invention is installed.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a data recorder sheet employed with theapparatus of FIG. 1 and exemplifying data collected by the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partially schematic plan view of another commercial form offraction collecting aparatus wherein the nozzle supporting arm traversesthe fraction collecting containers along a rectilinear path.

FIG. 4 is a view of a data sheet exemplifying data collected inconjunction with the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The disclosure of the above cited U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,426, insofar asnecessary to understand more fully the operation of the fractioncollector shown fragmentarily in FIG. 1, is incorporated hereinto bythis reference. It is sufficient for the present to note that thefraction collector includes a base 12 which supports a circular body 14at the center of the body for rotation thereon. Supported in base 12 forradial movement relative a central opening 15 of disc 14 is a carriagethat includes a motor driven rubber wheel or O-ring 16 which impartsrotary motion to body 14. As disclosed in more detail in the U.S. Pat.No. 3,871,426 patent, the carriage on which O-ring 16 is supported movesradially inward as the O-ring rotates body 14 so that the carriage andthe O-ring define a spiral path. The speed of the portion of body 14 incontact with O-ring 16 is constant because the speed of rotation of theO-ring is constant so the individual fraction collecting container 18that is vertically aligned with O-ring 16 travels at a constant speed.This provides the aforementioned linear time base. Mounted to thecarriage on which O-ring 16 is carried is a vertical arm 20 and ahorizontal arm 22 which supports a nozzle 24 in alignment over thecontainer aligned with O-ring 16. Nozzle 24 is fed by a tube or hose 26,the opposite end of which is connected to a conventional fractionatingcolumn indicated schematically at C. As disclosed in the U.S. Pat.3,871,426 patent, nozzle 24 moves radially inward in response torotation of body 14 so that fractions exiting column C are received insequence in containers 18, which are arranged in a spiral configurationon body 14.

According to the present invention there is a disc shaped sheet carrier28 which is supported for rotation above body 14 by means of a stubshaft 30. Stub shaft 30 has at the lower end thereof a key 32 forengagement with a corresponding keyway formed in body 14 and at theupper end a key 34, carrier 28 having a suitable keyway for engaging thelatter key so that the carrier rotates in unison with body 14. Carrier28 has an upper planar surface on which is supported a data sheet 36formed of paper or like medium that has an inscribable surface. Carrier36 has an index pin 37 projecting upward from the surface thereof; datasheet 36 has a correspondingly positioned hole 38 through which theindex pin extends when the sheet is in place on the carrier in order toachieve proper registry between the sheet and body 14.

Rigid with arm 22 and radially moveable in unison therewith is anauxillary arm 39 on the inner end of which is supported a pen 40 or likedevice for inscribing data on the surface of sheet 36. As can be seen inFIG. 1, pen 40 is in vertical alignment with nozzle 24 and O-ring 16which represents the normal or index position of the pen. The pen can bedisplaced radially inward or outward of such position, however, becauseit is supported for radial movement on a track 42 that is fixed to arm39, there being a transducer 44 for so displacing the pen by an amountcorresponding to the magnitude of the signal supplied to the transducer.The signal supplied to transducer 44 is proportional to a characteristicof the substance exiting column C, e.g., the optical density of thesubstance. There is an optical detector 46 which receives an amount oflight from a light source 48 that is proportional to the optical densityof the material because the detector and the light source are disposedon opposite sides of the out flow of column C. An amplifier 50 isprovided for amplifying the signal from optical detector 46 so as todrive transducer 44 and pen 40 in proportion to the optical density oflike characteristic of the substance exiting the fractionating column.

In operation vertical arm 20 and horizontal arms 22 and 39 reside in aradial outward position as explained in the above U.S. Pat. No.3,871,426 patent. Central opening 15 of body 14 is engaged on acentrally disposed capstan which is an element within base 12. In suchposition O-ring 16 is in frictional driving contact with the lowersurface of body 14. Stub shaft 30 is installed as is carrier 28 andsheet 36. When fractionating column C begins functioning, the motor thatdrives O-ring 16 is energized so as to initiate rotation of body 14 andcarrier 28. As explained in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,426 patent, nozzle24 and pen 40 describe a spiral path with respect to body 14 and carrier28, respectively, and each time a fraction having a measurablecharacteristic, e.g., an optical density deviating from backgroundoptical density, passes tube 26 intermediate light source 48 and opticaldetector 46, transducer 44 displaces pen 40 transversely to the normalspiral path. Referring to FIG. 2, the normal position of the lineinscribed by pen 40 is shown at 52 which line corresponds to the pathtraversed by nozzle 24 relative body 18. A portion of the inscribed linedisplaced from such normal position is shown at 54 and indicates thatthe fractions collected in the containers 18 that spatially correspondwith the location of curve 54 contain fractions of more pertinence thanfractions in other containers in body 14 that show no corresponding penexcursion. As seen in FIG. 2, sheet 36 can have preprinted thereon aplurality of circles 18' which are spatially arranged in correspondencewith the spatial arrangement of containers 18 in body 14. Accordingly,when a sample has been fractionated and collected, the lab technicianhas available to him a body 14 containing the various fractions incontainers 18 and the sheet 36 which identifies by spatialcorrespondence with the arrangement of the containers, the specificcompartments that contain or are likely to contain the fractions of mostpertinence. Such fractions can be subjected to further tests. Thisshould be contrasted with prior art techniques in which a straight lineor linear strip chart recorder is employed and requires substantialtime, effort and equipment to afford indices or like reference marks tocorrelate the containers in body 14 and the points of interest on suchlinear graph.

The present invention finds application in forms of fraction collectorsother than that disclosed in the above cited U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,426patent. In FIG. 3 there is schematically indicated one form ofconventional fraction collector that has a plate 60 which is adapted tosupport a plurality of fraction collecting containers 62. In the exampleshown in FIG. 3, containers 62 are arranged in a plurality of parallelrows and there is a nozzle carrying arm 64 which is driven byappropriate servos or like driving means in orthogonal directions 66 and68 so that the nozzle is confined to a rectilinear path 70 in order thatit traverses the rows of containers 62 in sequence. According to thepresent invention there is supported adjacent plate 60 and in verticalalignment or other suitable spaced position relative to the plate acarrier 71 that supports a sheet 72 on which a graph is drawn accordingto the invention. An arm 74 is linked to arm 64 so that arm 74 movesrelative sheet 72 in unison with the arm 64. At the outer end of arm 74is carried an inscribing device such as a pen and a transducer. Thetransducer for activating the inscribing means on arm 74 can take manyforms including that described above in connection with FIG. 1. Suchtransducer, however, is shown in FIG. 4 to be one which effectsinscription of a line 76 which is transverse to path 78 and has a lengthcorresponding to the magnitude of whatever characteristic is measured atthe outlet of column C. The transducer is arranged to lift theinscribing means away from sheet 72 on its return to path 78 so as toafford a data display that is easy to read. When fraction collection hasbeen completed by employment of the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4, it canbe seen that the technician has available to him a series of fluidsamples in plate 60 and a graph which spatially corresponds with thelocation of the fluid samples in the plate so as to facilitate selectionof fractions for more thorough analysis.

Because the present invention does not reside per se in anyconstructional details of the individual elements employed, the abovedescription and drawings are somewhat schematic. For example, thefunction performed by pen 40 and transducer 44 of making an inscriptionon the graph can be performed by other well known elements such asgalvanometers, servomechanisms, counters, and the like. Moreover, thedata can be inscribed in the form of numerals, letters or like symbolsrepresenting different values of the characters at the output of columnC, so long as the data is inscribed in a spatial arrangementcorresponding to that of the containers in which the fractions from thecolumn are collected. Additionally, multiple independently driven penscan be employed in cases in which the value of two or morecharacteristics of the effluent from column C are to be plotted.

Although the invention is particularly suited in deriving graphs forrecording data pertaining to fraction collecting it will be clear thatit has other important uses. For example, by employing the graphexemplified in FIG. 2 a substantial amount of data collected on auniform time base can be recorded on a sheet of extremely small size.

Thus, it will be seen that the present invention provides data recordingapparatus that provides for data recordation in a small area and whichis capable of recording the data in a spatial arrangement correspondingto the arrangement of some other equipment, for example, a fractioncollector. Although two embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed it will be obvious that other adaptations and modificationscan be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. In a fraction collector of the type having a plurality offraction receiving containers, means for supporting said containersalong a prescribed path in a prescribed spatial arrangement, a nozzlefor delivering a fractionated substance to said containers, and meansfor moving said nozzle relative said containers along said path,improved data recording apparatus comprising a carrier for supporting adata receiving sheet, an arm movable relative to said sheet supportingmeans in unison with said nozzle moving means so as to afford relativemovement between said arm and said sheet supporting means thatcorresponds with the relative movement between said nozzle supportingmeans and said container supporting means, and means mounted on said armfor inscribing data on a sheet on said carrier, the inscribing meansinscribing data that is indicative of a characteristic of the substancedelivered by said nozzle so as to inscribe on a sheet carried by saidcarrier a graph bearing data spatially arranged in correspondence withthe spatial arrangement of said containers on said path.
 2. Datarecording apparatus according to claim 1 including a data receivingsheet having an inscribable surface and a plurality of indicia on saidsurface, said indicia corresponding in number and location to respectivesaid containers on said container supporting means.
 3. Data recordingapparatus according to claim 1 when said container supporting meansincludes a generally circular container disc and wherein said containersare supported in said container disc in a spiral path, means forrotating said disc about the central axis thereof, means for moving saidnozzle radially inward toward said axis in response to rotative movementof said container disc, said data supporting carrier including a datadisc of similar size to said container disc, means for supporting saiddata disc for rotation with said container disc about said axis, saidarm means being fixed for movement with said nozzle moving means so thatsaid inscribing means moves in unison with said nozzle in response torotation of said discs.
 4. Improved data recording apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said container supporting means includes a body forsupporting said containers in a plurality of generally parallel rows,said nozzle moving means including means for moving said nozzle in arectilinear path along each of said rows in sequence, said carrierhaving a shape similar to said container supporting means, said armmounting said inscribing means for movement with said nozzle along saidrectilinear path.
 5. Improved data recording apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said data inscribing means includes a pen, a transducerfor supporting said pen on said arm for radial movement by an amountproportional to a signal supplied to said transducer and means forsupplying a signal to said transducer that has a magnitude indicative ofa characteristic of the substance delivered by said nozzle so that saidpen moves transverse to said path in proportion to the magnitude of acharacteristic of the substance delivered by said nozzle.